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Australia · Entry test

Selective schools tutoring, books and official practice

Start with the officials’ own material, which the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education provides free, then add a book or course only if you want one. Both the NSW department and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) say coaching or extra practice isn’t needed, as the preparation page explains. If you do look at selective schools tutoring, match the course to your state’s test.

  • FreeNSW practice tests and Student Resource Hub
  • Not listedFees at the three coaching colleges
  • $22.95 to $369Listed prices for books and online plans
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Official material, books and tutoring compared

OptionPriceFree to useLinks
Official and free
NSW selective high school practice testsOfficial practice tests, online and PDFFrom the NSW Department of Education, which calls them part of its free resources for the test. The online tests are timed and show right and wrong answers at the end. The PDFs come from older paper-based versions, so the online tests are the ones that match today’s format.
FreeOnline computer-based practice tests in the real test software, and three PDF sample tests with answer keys and explained answers
NSW Department of Education: Selective high school practice tests ↗NSW Department of Education: Online practice tests ↗
NSW Selective High Schools Student Resource HubOfficial student hubWritten by the NSW Department of Education for the students themselves, and named among the department’s free resources on its application page.
FreeInteractive quizzes, practice test items, test-taking tips and help deciding whether a selective school suits your child
NSW Department of Education: Student Resource Hub ↗
Official
ACER Victorian sample questionsOfficial sample questions (ZIP of PDFs)From the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), which runs the exam. ACER says the questions show the style and format but aren’t necessarily as hard as the exam. There’s no writing set.
Download, no fee listedSample Mathematics, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading and Verbal Reasoning questions for the Victorian Selective Entry High Schools exam
ACER: Victorian Selective Entry High Schools, Prepare ↗
Books
Excel Selective Schools and Scholarship Tests (Pascal Press)Practice books, Years 5 and 6Separate books for Mathematical Reasoning, Reading, Thinking Skills and Writing, plus a skills and strategies book and a book pack. Pascal Press says they cover all four types of test. They’re written around the NSW sections, not the Victorian exam.
$22.95 a book; Revise in a Month $32.95Nothing listed as free
Pascal Press: Selective School Tests ↗
Apps and websites
Test AcademyOnline NSW selective practice testsOne-time payments, no subscription. Essential has 30 tests each in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills, and Complete has 50 each plus 100 writing prompts. WritingHub writing feedback is $149 on its own. Test Academy also teaches classes in Parramatta and online.
Essential $269 for 6 months; Complete $369 for 12 monthsA free plan with 6 tests of your choice
Test Academy: Selective practice tests ↗Test Academy: Parramatta and online classes ↗
In person
Matrix EducationNSW selective test courses, Years 5 and 6Courses run online or on campus over 9 weeks each term, with a 1.5-hour lesson a week on one section of the test at a time and three diagnostic tests a term. A January holiday Mock Test Intensive runs over four 2-hour days.
Not listedNothing listed as free
Matrix Education: Selective School Test tutoring ↗
North Shore Coaching CollegeVictorian Selective High Exam course, Years 7 and 8A 10-week intensive over two terms, with a 4-hour lesson each week, weekly tests and small classes, taught on campus. The college says it has 64 campuses across 5 states.
Not listedNothing listed as free
North Shore Coaching College: Selective High Exam course, Year 8 ↗
HendersonsMelbourne school entrance preparationPrepares students for Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School, as well as scholarship exams and school interviews.
Not listedA free consultation; its selective entry information session runs online
Hendersons: School entrance preparation ↗

Prices and ratings checked October 2026.

How do you choose selective schools tutoring?

  • Match the state. The NSW test is on computer in Year 6 with four sections; the Victorian exam is on paper in Year 8 with three parts.
  • Check the course runs before your test date, and how many weeks it lasts.
  • Ask each college for its price and what it includes before you enrol.
  • Know the rules. Sharing NSW test content with tutoring businesses is malpractice, and discussing Victorian exam content with tutoring companies or coaching colleges is misconduct. Either can cost your child a place.

A simple study path

  1. Read how your state’s test works and its timing.
  2. Try the official samples: the NSW online practice tests and PDFs, or ACER’s Victorian sample questions.
  3. Review the explanations for any wrong answers.
  4. Add a book or test pack only if your child wants more practice.
The NSW test →The Victorian exam →Official practice tests →The official preparation advice →
Sources: NSW Department of Education · ACER and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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